Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s relationship triggers Cambridge Dictionary’s 2025 Word of the Year

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s love story feels personal for many fans even though they do not know them.

Going by the strong emotional reaction, the Cambridge Dictionary picked “parasocial” as its Word of the Year for 2025. It means feeling close to a famous person you have never met in real life.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment's Colin McIntosh explained it on its website.

“Interest in one-sided parasocial relationships that people form with celebrities, influencers and AI chatbots has driven Cambridge Dictionary's Word of the Year for 2025,” McIntosh said.

Cambridge professor Simone Schnall said fandom can be healthy but it gets intense sometimes. She added that fans often form parasocial ties with stars like Swift because they are so good at what they do.

"Obsessive interpretations of lyrics and intense online discussions about their meanings and what they mean for fans, as well as Swift herself," Schnall said.

She also stressed that parasocial feelings are not restricted to celebrities, as some feel close to podcast hosts who share personal stories. It is almost like listening to a friend.

The same thing happens with technology. People talk to AI chatbots as if they are friends or partners.

Cambridge Dictionary

@CambridgeWords

The Cambridge Dictionary Word Of The Year 2025 is… 🥁  ​ "Parasocial" (Adjective)

Parasocial relationships are not new. The term was first used in 1956 by sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl. They noticed that TV viewers often felt they “knew” the people they saw on screen.

In today’s digital age, the feeling has only grown stronger.

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Taylor Swift's gesture for Travis Kelce and vice versa makes them relatable to fans

In "The Life of a Showgirl" album, Taylor Swift dedicated the song “Wood” to her fiancé, Travis Kelce. “Wood” reportedly refers to the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. Other tracks include “Opalite” and “Honey.”

During her "Eras Tour" stop in Buenos Aires in November 2023, she changed the lyrics of “Karma.” She sung the line “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs, coming straight home to me,” surprising Kelce.

When the pop superstar appeared on Kelce's podcast, "New Heights," on Aug. 13, he made her blush. Swift complimented him, referring to his shirt's color and saying “That’s such a great color on you.”

Kelce replied, “Yes, I know, it’s the color of your eyes, sweetie, that’s why we match so well.”

Swift laughed and teased, “I’m about to do a f*ing podcast!”